perfect

everyone in my house is at odds tonight

the kids can't do anything right

 e is overwhelmed and completely fed up with all of us

 and

the combo of those things just makes me unbearably sad

we're a long, long way from perfect right now

but

our life really is wonderful

i needed the reminder

Don't cry for me

This weekend my Mom will attend her fourth funeral in as many weeks. Four long time family friends who have left the earth She is wearing a brave face, but I know it hurts her. While I hurt for the loved ones they are leaving behind, and mostly for my Mama losing people dear to her, I cannot be dishonest and say that I am crushed. I may not have seen even one of those four in the last fifteen years. Each of them holds a place in my heart for when they were in my life, once upon a time, but I will not pretend to be mourning them as they were before they left.

One of them, though . . . One of them gets me a little more than the rest. She was my Mom's friend, but she was actually much closer to my age. In my memories of her she was in her twenties and I was in high school. She was funny and a little wild. She had the most Southern voice in the whole entire south and I loved her laugh.

She was forty five when she died this month and her son is fifteen. That one definitely gets me. I mourn for Drew and pray for his well being. I think of him every day and wonder a little why God chose her. Now.





While my tangible memory of her is mostly as a wildish twenty something my admiration for her is built on the battle she fought with leukemia. Very fast and very intense. She was on vacation with her family in August and came home more tired than usual. Um, hello. Have you ever been on a family vacation? Of course she was tired. But it was more than that.

She was diagnosed with leukemia in August and died just five months later. In those five months I followed her posts on Facebook and read her journal on CaringBridge.

Sheryl was not afraid to die and does not want anyone to mourn her. I am not that selfless just yet. My Mom shared a video of the most Southern voice in the whole south ministering to her husband's congregation on Mother's Day. That woman does not want me, or anyone else, to cry for her. She was confident and selfless because she knew with certainty that she was not alone. What a gift.

Are You Flourishing?

I'm not sad for her anymore, but I am worried about Drew. I hope he was listening when his Mama was talking and can take advantage of the foundation she gave him.

Rest your soul, sweet girl. Much love to you.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Back on Track

It's been a while.  I know.  Somewhere between Thanksgiving Day and New Year' Eve I officially entered overload and my blog has suffered right along with the grocery shopping and laundry.  Mrs. LP, please forgive me :)

There's never a dull moment in this house.  Regardless of the season.  Between my precious offspring, their charming Dad and the rock throwing dog (I promise there will be a post about this sometime soon) I can barely wedge in time for showers and hand cream. I've always blogged as a creative outlet and a way to stay connected.  Then along came Arthur and the pending arrival of Santa.  A welcomed houseguest.  The requisite holiday festivities.  And the job change.  Mine.  By choice.  There just wasn't time for one more thing.  Not one single thing.

Santa left hats for everyone!

But now we're norming, and I'm back.

I have a new job and I LOVE it.  A whole dang lot.    My last day in my former position was just two weeks ago and I can't even fathom why I stayed there for eight years.  It seems like it might have been three years too many.  My fond memories are very, very faint.

The Athlete and The Princess are still my precious offspring. They're so amazing.  Really amazing.  Just so smart and articulate.  And healthy and funny.  And seven and nine for only a few more weeks.  I am cherishing them as much as possible.  Not tolerating.  Cherishing.

Their Dad is still charming.  Really, really charming.  And gifted.  And good to me.  He's been so very supportive and patient with me in my job transition.  He is coaching two basketball teams again this season and he makes me so proud when I watch him with those boys.  He is such a strong and talented leader to them and a wonderful man.  When I pray I always say thank you for him first.  He is a gift.

More posts to follow.  One for sure about the rock throwing dog.  And the fashion show that is my new office and the trip to Rome I am taking in a few weeks.  Pictures of my beautiful kids for sure.  And a post about loss that's been in my heart.  And . . .  There's always so much.

So much to be thankful for.  So much to want to capture before it's gone.  The blog is a written catalog of our moments.  Like a photo album with tons of text.  Not ever to be forgotten.

Happy New Year.  It's good to be back.